Study shows 18-wheeler would have to drive 143 freeway miles to put out the same particulates as a single charbroiled burger
In a special presentation on May 24, 2012 to the California Air Resource Board (ARB) in Sacramento, California, leading international scientists discussed the key short-lived agents black carbon (soot) and methane. Findings presented to the ARB indicated a 50% reduction of black carbon in ambient air over the past 20 years. Mary Nichols, Chairman of the ARB stated: “It is encouraging to see that ARB’s diesel regulations, while designed to improve public health are also addressing climate change.”
A study released on April 12, 2012 by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) provides important new insights into the emissions and health effects of the new diesel, known as the Advanced Collaborative Emissions Study (ACES). These and related findings were recently presented at a CARB Research Seminar.
In its March 2012 Report to Congress on Black Carbon (BC), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated: “[T]he United States will achieve substantial BC emissions reductions by 2030, largely due to controls on new mobile diesel engines.“ The EPA report also recognizes the challenges in reducing emissions from both mobile and stationary diesel engines in these developing countries since they typically do not have ready access to cleaner low sulfur fuels that are required for most advanced emissions control technologies.
New research released April 23, 2012 from North Carolina State University - “Real-World Measurement and Evaluation of Heavy Duty Truck Duty Cycles, Fuels, and Emission Control Technologies” - shows that federal requirements governing diesel engines of new tractor trailer trucks have resulted in major cuts in emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Trucks in compliance with newer standards showed a 98% decrease in NOx and 94% reduction in PM emissions.
